Events Scheduled To Show Support After Tippecanoe Valley Tragedy

MENTONE — Several events have been scheduled and donation options set up following the Oct. 30 tragedy in Fulton County where three children lost their lives and another one was seriously injured while crossing a road to board their school bus.

Indiana State Police say a school bus was stopped on SR 25 with the stop arm and exterior lighting activated in front of a mobile home park at 4684 North SR 25. As children crossed the road to get on the bus, four of the kids were struck by a Toyota Tacoma reportedly driven by Alyssa Shepherd, 24, Rochester.

A candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at the Mentone Youth League, 107 W. Jefferson St., Mentone. Community members are urged to gather together to honor the three siblings who lost their lives and to offer continued support for Lowe.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family of the three siblings. A separate GoFundMe account has been set up for Lowe.

Lake City Bank and Mentone Fire Department have set up an account to accept donations for the families. Anyone who would like to donate may go to any Lake City Bank branch and mention the account name, “Mentone Fire Department Valley Strong.” Checks may also be mailed to the Mentone Fire Department, C/O Valley Strong, P.O. Box 147, Mentone, IN. 46539. Please make checks out to MFD Valley Strong.

Milwaukee Iron Clubhouse, Kokomo, has partnered up with the Mentone Fire Department to organize a motorcycle ride from 12-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.Large groups of motorcycles are expected to ride by the Mentone Fire Station to drop off donations.

“We’re here to serve the community. We’re trying to heal our people and the community,” said Mentone Fire Chief Mike Yazel. “We have a good crisis team in the county and they were waiting on us when we returned (from the scene).”

“It’s been a very rough time for everyone,” Yazel said. “We take care of each other pretty well.”

A BBQ dinner benefit will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in the Tippecanoe Valley High School auxiliary gym. All monies raised at this event will go toward funeral and medical expenses and other needs of the families.